Major Bucknall's reel.

Dave Westburg

Dave Westburg

Fish the classics
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A 3.5" Farlows BWP President reel arrived yesterday. Weighs 7.2 ounces so I'll load it with a 7 weight line and fish it with a 8'6' or 9' bamboo rod. Came with the box which is unusual. Major Bucknall's reel.

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It has the classic old Farlows holdfast logo and the patented BWP sliding drag.
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The reels face needs a cleaning. Was thinking of using a mixture of four parts warm water and one part white vinegar. I had someone recommend Simple Green All Purpose Cleaner to me as well. What do you use to clean up old reels?
 
Interesting drag adjustment. I've used water and vinegar for cleaning. Just make sure all the nooks and cranies are thoroughly rinsed as vinegar is caustic.
 
First I spray the reel down with engine de-greaser and get after it with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly. Give it a five minute soak in the warm water and vinegar bath to cut the petroleum products. Rinse thoroughly again, pat dry with an old T-shirt and set it out to dry. Now you have a clean pallet to work with.

The problem I had with these reels was that the drag would back off as the fish ran. I think it was due in part to the grease I placed on the aluminum wedge where it rubs on the steel spring. I lubed it because I wasn't comfortable with the steel against aluminum idea. Probably best not to lube it though...
 
_WW_ said:
First I spray the reel down with engine de-greaser and get after it with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly. Give it a five minute soak in the warm water and vinegar bath to cut the petroleum products. Rinse thoroughly again, pat dry with an old T-shirt and set it out to dry. Now you have a clean pallet to work with.

The problem I had with these reels was that the drag would back off as the fish ran. I think it was due in part to the grease I placed on the aluminum wedge where it rubs on the steel spring. I lubed it because I wasn't comfortable with the steel against aluminum idea. Probably best not to lube it though...
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Planning to use this reel with a 7 weight for bull trout. Most of the time I leave my reels on the lightest setting anyway so shouldn't be a prob. I can see how it might be an issue for a really large steelhead or salmon when you want to use the reel to help stop the fish.
 
Dave Westburg said:
Planning to use this reel with a 7 weight for bull trout. Most of the time I leave my reels on the lightest setting anyway so shouldn't be a prob. I can see how it might be an issue for a really large steelhead or salmon when you want to use the reel to help stop the fish.
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Yea, you should be fine. Those B-run Clearwater fish act a little different.
 
_WW_ said:
Do you suppose they ever sold something like that to hold fish?
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Don’t know, good question though. Not too far fetched when we consider the current day chain stringers that are sold.

Zooming in, it looks as though it’s a chain with a loop at the tail end and a clasp to attach back onto itself at the end that goes through the gill.

I just find the variety and the artwork of logos on the different makers and the retailers reels back in those days is interesting.
 
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